Arvo Part has been fascinated by the life and work of St. Silouan of Athos (1866-1938) for many years. As early as 1991, the writings of Silouan inspired Part to his composition Silouan's Song, "My soul yearns after the Lord ..." for string orchestra. Part's new work Adam's Lament is once again based on a text by Silouan, in which the monk laments Adam's pain over the loss of paradise. Silouan's sketches and writings are of great poetic power, and represent some of the most significant works in Russian poetry. The content and structure of the texts, which are sung in Russian, dictate the course of the music down to the smallest detail. Punctuation, syllable counts, and word emphases all play decisive roles in the composition. "For me, the name Adam is a collective term not merely for the whole of humanity but for each individual, regardless of time, era, social class, or religious affiliation. And this collective Adam has suffered and lamented on this earth for millennia. Our ancestor Adam foresaw the human tragedy that was to come and experienced it as his own guilty responsibility, the result of his sinful act. He suffered all the cataclysms of humanity into the depths of desperation, inconsolable in his agony." (Arvo Part) To mark Arvo Part's Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Istanbul Music Festival, a new work was premiered at a concert featuring highlights from the composer's career: Adam's Lament for choir and orchestra. The piece was co-commissioned by the European Capitals of Culture for 2010 and 2011, Istanbul and Tallin respectively.

Arvo Part has been fascinated by the life and work of St. Silouan of Athos (1866-1938) for many years. As early as 1991, the writings of Silouan inspired Part to his composition Silouan's Song, "My soul yearns after the Lord ..." for string orchestra. Part's new work Adam's Lament is once again based on a text by Silouan, in which the monk laments Adam's pain over the loss of paradise. Silouan's sketches and writings are of great poetic power, and represent some of the most significant works in Russian poetry. The content and structure of the texts, which are sung in Russian, dictate the course of the music down to the smallest detail. Punctuation, syllable counts, and word emphases all play decisive roles in the composition. "For me, the name Adam is a collective term not merely for the whole of humanity but for each individual, regardless of time, era, social class, or religious affiliation. And this collective Adam has suffered and lamented on this earth for millennia. Our ancestor Adam foresaw the human tragedy that was to come and experienced it as his own guilty responsibility, the result of his sinful act. He suffered all the cataclysms of humanity into the depths of desperation, inconsolable in his agony." (Arvo Part) To mark Arvo Part's Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Istanbul Music Festival, a new work was premiered at a concert featuring highlights from the composer's career: Adam's Lament for choir and orchestra. The piece was co-commissioned by the European Capitals of Culture for 2010 and 2011, Istanbul and Tallin respectively.

We cannot post your review if it violates these guidelines. If you have any suggestions or comments on the guidelines, please email us.

All submitted reviews become the licensed property of Sheet Music Plus and are subject to all laws pertaining thereto. If you believe that any review contained on our site infringes upon your copyright, please email us.

Learn about MP3s

After purchase, you can download your MP3 from your Sheet Music Plus Digital Library - no software installation is necessary! You can also listen to your MP3 at any time in your Digital Library.

Learn about Smart Music

After purchase, you can download your Smart Music from your Sheet Music Plus Digital Library - no software installation is necessary! You can also download at any time in your Digital Library.

Learn about Digital Video

After purchase you can download your video from your Digital Library. Your video is in XX format and is playable on most pre-installed video players.

Music Lists

Error!Sorry but your review could not be submitted, please verify the form and try again.

* = required

Music List Name

Description

(optional)

Music Lists

Make a wish list for gifts, suggest standard repertoire, let students know which books to buy, boast about pieces you've mastered: Music Lists are as unique as the musician! Easily share your music lists with friends, students, and the world.